Knights of Desire [Flights of Fancy 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Melodee Aaron Page B

been only a little more than two hours since Landis and Clemmons went after her. It will take them at least four to reach any of those locations."
    "The ore may also be interfering with the scans."
    "All right, people." Elsa sighed. "We need to stop looking for reasons we can't find them and just find them. Let's assume Rawls is underground, and the scans are blocked. That lets us focus on finding where the dragons and the knights are. I want low-level satellites that can enhance the scans put in orbit."
    The Science Officer frowned. "That will take some time, Captain."
    "I know it will. You have thirty minutes, so I suggest you get on it."
    The officer blinked at her a few times. "Thirty minutes?"
    "If you need it. Twenty will make me happier."
     
    * * * *
     
    Lizards swarmed around the cave entrance. Landis couldn't recall seeing so many in one place before other than in battles. The gathering of dragons was a sure sign something—or some one —important was inside.
    Clemmons lowered the spyglass from his eye. "I count twelve lizards milling about outside, and I've seen eight more come and go from the cave itself."
    "That's a lot of dragons for one cave."
    "That's a lot of new lizard-skin boots." Clemmons's hand caressed the pommel of his sword. "What's your plan?"
    He paused, pondering the situation. "We can't be certain Shane is in there, but I'd bet she is. Why else would there be so many lizards here? We'll have to go in to be certain. I'll create a distraction, and you get inside. I'll come in when I can."
    Clemmons shook his head. "You mean if you can. No, you go inside and find her, and I'll keep the dragons busy." He smiled, but it looked a bit wistful. "You're the one she wants to see."
    Landis had thought about this since they started climbing the mountains, and he'd made up his mind. "Maybe so, maybe not, but you have to be the one to go in after her. I'm afraid my emotions will cause me to make mistakes, and that could kill both Shane and myself. We need a cooler head to prevail."
    He nodded. "Maybe you're right. Besides, there are plenty of lizards for us both to kill."
    "No, I don't want to kill them. Shane is right, and the killing is wrong. I just want her safe."
    "I know what you mean." Clemmons smiled softly, the same smile that, for the last six years, Landis had found so attractive. "If we can get her out without killing a single dragon, that's a good thing. On the other hand, I would kill them all to make sure she's safe."
    Landis reached into his bag and pulled out Shane's weapon. "Any idea how to work this weapon?"
    "Not a one." Clemmons pointed to a pair of slides on side of the device. "I've seen her move these, though."
    "So have I." He looked at one of the levers and found it had only two positions. When he studied the other slide, it had three positions. Small markings on the framework matched the catches, but they couldn't read Shane's language. "I wonder what it all means."
    "Does it matter much?" Clemmons laughed softly. "We'll probably be dead in short time anyway."
    "That's true." Landis hesitated as he stared at Shane's weapon. "I'll move off around to the right. When the distraction starts, you get inside."
    "How will I know when to move?"
    Landis turned the weapon over in his hand a few times. "I think you'll know."
     
    * * * *
     
    Cedric had frightened her, but Shane thought it was mostly his appearance. He looked a lot like the classic dragons in fairytales and fantasy stories, with his green scales flecked with hints of gold and blue and large diaphanous wings better suited to some kind of bat from a nightmare. When she added in the sharp talons and teeth like small white mountains with jagged peaks, the image was complete. Except for the yellow eyes with horizontal slits like a cat's-eye turned on its side.
    Cedric had an air of honor about him. Not unlike her, he was a warrior, a soldier with a job to do, and he did it as best he could. He followed orders, and he followed some